Agency helps find new opportunities

Here’s another gauge of the state’s economy: A state agency that helps out-of-work Missourians find new careers says its business is up about 25 percent. It’s an agency that steers unemployed Missourians toward re-training for new jobs. The Division of Workforce Development operates 43 career assistance centers and has a job-matching website.

Policy Manager Michael Weltman says an increasing number of clients are people who’ve been laid off. About one-third of those people have lost manufacturing jobs. "We can… help them with job search, provide them tips and assistance on searching some of the job-matching websites out there, primarily missouricareerrsource.com," he says. The division can help people find new opportunities based on zip code, salary desired, and other factor.

He says many of the agency’s clients make complete changes in their careers. He says that’s when the career centers are their most valuable. When it comes time to train a person making that shift, the agency partners with academic institutions, with Community Colleges providing most of the training.